Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazinehttps://freshome.comFreshome is a website dedicated to show you the latest trends in modern architecture, modern interior design and modern furniture design.Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:00:14 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4http://freshome.com/http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/logo.pngFreshomeFreshInspirationForYourHomehttps://feedburner.google.comHow to Pull off Cozy Minimalism: A Perfect Blend of Two Opposing Styleshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreshInspirationForYourHome/~3/pp7cH7lJwO8/cozy-minimalismhttps://freshome.com/cozy-minimalism#respondMon, 19 Mar 2018 14:00:14 +0000https://freshome.com/?p=274763Does “cozy minimalism” sounds like an oxymoron? If you think it does, you’re not alone. However, this intriguing home décor style is a situation in which opposites definitely attract. The look is steadily becoming one of the most popular aesthetics in today’s landscape—and it’s not hard to see why people are falling in love. If you’re searching for a design style that effortlessly […]

Cozy minimalism is everywhere these days. We’ll show you why. Image: Studio Morton

Does “cozy minimalism” sounds like an oxymoron? If you think it does, you’re not alone. However, this intriguing home décor style is a situation in which opposites definitely attract. The look is steadily becoming one of the most popular aesthetics in today’s landscape—and it’s not hard to see why people are falling in love.

If you’re searching for a design style that effortlessly blends comfort with functionality, search no more. We’ve outlined exactly why this look works as well as it does, including a few pointers on how you can pull the look together.

Why cozy minimalism works

Put simply, cozy minimalism is a reaction to extremes. A few decades ago, interior design followed the motto of “more is more.” We saw rooms crammed to the gills with big, heavy furniture pieces, layers upon layers of fabrics, and more accessories than we could count. Rooms often felt cramped, even if they were sizable—it was just a little too much.

Then, trends headed in the opposite direction, as ultra-minimalism became the style du jour. People began to favor huge, nearly-empty rooms that were based entirely on functionality. Furniture styles became slim and lightweight, and there was hardly an accessory in sight, yielding interiors that often felt stark and overly clinical.

Cozy minimalism works because it’s a happy medium. This look utilizes the best parts of a function-forward design and combines them with just enough aesthetic detail to make your interiors feel comfortable and welcoming.

Create a functional base

When building a cozy minimalist look, it’s absolutely key to make functionality the star. Do this by building the room around your furniture. If you’re designing a bedroom, let the bed be the focal point without much else to distract the eye. If it’s a living area, focus your design on one main seating area. The key is to let the rest of your design elements play a supporting role to the furniture, rather than stealing attention away.

In terms of which furniture you should use: borrow from a minimalist aesthetic. Focus on choosing pieces that are sleeker, without too much visual weight to them. Keep it simple—you’ll have plenty of time to focus on aesthetic additions later.

Layer in some texture

Once you have the base of the room in place, shift your focus to the “cozy” part of the equation. For that, you should focus on layering design elements together. In particular, you’ll layer pieces that create a contrast with each other texturally. Doing so helps the room appear much more interesting, and also helps it feel purposefully put together.

The above photo is an excellent example of layering the right way. Remember: texture refers to the way an item looks like it feels. In the photo, a woven rug, a rough wood nightstand, plush bedding, and a soft and furry blanket all intermingle, creating intriguing visual interest.

You don’t have to follow these layers exactly, but the goal is to create a sense of contrast between each one. One word of caution: As you select the items you intend to layer, make sure they have enough in common to somehow tie them together. In this case, the designer stuck to a neutral color palette, but you could also layer by using a recurring color or pattern.

Don’t skimp on accessories

Other than texture, accessories are the best way to add interest to a cozy minimalist room. An “accessory” is considered as anything that adds aesthetic value to a room. In some cases, it can also serve some sort of functional purpose, but that’s not always necessary.

If you’re stuck on which kinds of accessories to add to the room, here are a few common examples:

Area rugs

Throw pillows and blankets

Wall art and mirrors

Decorative bowls and trays

Coffee table books

Candles

Picture frames

Plants, flowers, and vases

Décor items

Adding in accessories is all about providing variety while preserving balance. You’ll want to add in enough of these items so that the room feels intentionally designed, rather than hastily put together. However, at the same time, your space shouldn’t feel cluttered. Use your best judgment to find the happy medium between the two, and don’t be afraid to tweak your design as you go along.

Cozy minimalism works well because it provides your space with the best of both worlds: practical functionality and minimalism, with none of the starkness. If you’re ready to join the trend, keep this post handy, and create the perfect balance for your home.

What do you think of cozy minimalism design? Will you be trying out this look in your own home? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

]]>https://freshome.com/cozy-minimalism/feed/0https://freshome.com/cozy-minimalismThe Writing’s on the Wall: 20 Decorating With Chalkboard Paint Ideashttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreshInspirationForYourHome/~3/VSFU_FPckZg/https://freshome.com/decorating-with-chalkboard-paint-ideas/#respondFri, 16 Mar 2018 11:00:42 +0000https://freshome.com/?p=274681What if we told you that decorating with chalkboard paint can be totally grown up and chic? We’re not talking about the old-school green chalkboards of the past. You can buy black chalkboard paint at most home improvement stores for less than $10 and paint a wall all by yourself in just a few hours. […]

]]>What if we told you that decorating with chalkboard paint can be totally grown up and chic? We’re not talking about the old-school green chalkboards of the past.

You can buy black chalkboard paint at most home improvement stores for less than $10 and paint a wall all by yourself in just a few hours. And the look is very cool, even if you refrain from scribbling all over the wall.

Why is decorating with chalkboard paint a thing?

The color black is hot in the world of design. Black and white particularly have become the contemporary go-to color combo in the last few years.

The black chalkboard paint you find today is matte in finish. The flat matte finish, paired with the rich black tone, adds a modern contrast to most neutrals and whites.

And after some time, the chalk starts giving the black chalkboard paint a dusty patina and texture you can’t get from ordinary paint. It starts to look more like a limestone or slate wall than an ordinary chalkboard paint finish.

The matte black finish of chalkboard paint adds a rich, stone-like feel to a wall. Image: Form + Field

Check out these chalkboard paint ideas for inspiration. You might find that decorating with chalkboard paint is an easy way to add new life to a spot in your home.

Decorating with chalkboard paint ideas for the kitchen

Swap out tile for a black chalkboard backsplash where you can add your grocery list or other doodles. Image: Shootin

A black chalkboard wall works very well in a farmhouse-style kitchen. Image: Larson & Paul

The black chalkboard wall provides contrast in this small white kitchen and ends up becoming the focal point. Image: Domus Nova

A chalkboard wall in the kitchen is perfect for messages from guests and your favorite inspirational quotes. Image: Meucci

Create your own coffee or wine bar using chalkboard paint

Designate a kitchen spot to creating a space any barista would love. Image: Homeclick

]]>https://freshome.com/decorating-with-chalkboard-paint-ideas/feed/0https://freshome.com/decorating-with-chalkboard-paint-ideas/Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Your Renovation on Budgethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreshInspirationForYourHome/~3/pIXZVvUUBnE/renovation-on-budgethttps://freshome.com/renovation-on-budget#respondThu, 15 Mar 2018 11:00:43 +0000https://freshome.com/?p=274657Keeping a renovation on budget is a top priority for a lot of homeowners, but many find it much easier said than done. Renovations are variable by nature, so if you don’t stay on top of your costs and fees, they can easily add up — and leave you with a final bill you’re unprepared […]

Keeping a renovation on budget is a top priority for a lot of homeowners, but many find it much easier said than done. Renovations are variable by nature, so if you don’t stay on top of your costs and fees, they can easily add up — and leave you with a final bill you’re unprepared to handle.

We’re here to help prevent that. With just a little planning and diligence on your end, it’s completely possible to keep your renovation budget under control. Don’t believe us? Keep reading. Below are some of our best tips for staying on top of your remodeling costs. Whether you are renovating now or in the future, it never hurts to be prepared.

Be realistic from the start

Too often, when people try to save money during a renovation, they make the mistake of setting their budget too low. They try to cut corners by saying they’ll do work themselves or shop around until they find wholesale materials and create their budget using these anticipated figures. And if they’re unable to stick to these promises, they’ve already set themselves up for sizable overages.

The better thing to do is be honest about how far you’re willing to go to save money, even if it ends up inflating your initial budget more than you’d hoped. If you know you’re not one for DIY, be realistic about how much it will cost to hire a pro in your area. Work your budget off of a middle-of-the-road estimate rather than the most affordable.

Remember, the whole point of having a budget is to feel prepared. If you work out realistic figures and decide those numbers are too expensive, you can always hold off on the renovation while you save up enough money.

Give contractors specific details about your vision for the project. Image: Highgate House

Get specific about what you want

Have you ever gotten quotes from contractors only to have them come back with wildly different estimates? If this has happened to you, it’s likely you weren’t able to offer many specifics when talking about your vision for the project. This led the contractors to fill in the gaps with their best guesses, which may or may not be in line with what you’re hoping for.

When you have to stick to a budget, specificity is one of the best tools at your disposal. The more you can tell your contractors about what you want the end product to look like, the closer they’ll get to a realistic estimate of your final bill. Ideally, your goal should be to get so specific that the only variances between each company’s estimate are labor costs and fees.

To pull this off, you need to do your research. Before you hire a contractor, make sure you have a clear picture of what you want the end product to look like. Think about the materials you want to use and what changes you want to make to your current layout. Use sites like Freshome as a starting point for design inspiration.

Stick to the plan

Once a remodel is underway, it can be tempting to add on to it. All of a sudden you may find yourself standing in your kitchen remodel, looking at the dated flooring in your living area and thinking that could use a makeover as well. While it may be easier to take care of that project while your house is already torn apart, if sticking to your budget is your first priority, we’d advise against following this urge.

If you keep adding to your project’s to-do list — or changing your mind about what you want midway through — it’s going to come at an added cost. Plus, you likely won’t have as much control over what those costs will be. At that point, you’re at the mercy of your contractor’s judgment and you likely won’t even know the full extent of the charges until you have the final bill in hand.

Instead, it’s best to stick to the plan you have in place. File away that other project on your mental to-do list of home maintenance tasks and treat it as it’s own entity. Take the time to plan and budget it the same way you did your current remodel. That way, even if it happens shortly after this project, you’ll feel in control of your spending.

Plan for the unexpected

That said, even the tightest remodeling budgets need to have wiggle room to cover unforeseen expenses. Sometimes remodeling uncovers a maintenance issue that needs to be taken care of and sometimes it really is worth the cost of changing your vision along the way. Plan for these costs ahead of time, so you’re not surprised as they crop up.

Conventional wisdom says to add 15-20% on top of your winning contractor’s estimate to safely account for these contingencies. That may seem like a lot, but this is one occasion where it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you don’t have enough room in your budget to cover that amount, you may want to take more time to save or scale back the project.

Use these tips to help you finish your renovation on budget — or even under. Image: Evens Architects

Let’s face it: It’s incredibly easy to blow your budget out of the water when remodeling your home. While keeping the renovation on budget may take more work than letting the costs add up, it’s far from impossible. Let these tips help you pull it off. Whether you’re planning a renovation now or sometime in the future, this advice can make all the difference in your ability to keep the budget under control.

Have you ever budgeted for a remodel of your own? Do you have any tips or advice to add to this list? Share them with us in the comments.

]]>https://freshome.com/renovation-on-budget/feed/0https://freshome.com/renovation-on-budgetHere Are Joanna Gaines’ 6 Favorite Pieces From Her Easter Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Collection at Targethttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreshInspirationForYourHome/~3/c8pqkITIcyo/https://freshome.com/joanna-gaines-target/#respondWed, 14 Mar 2018 11:00:36 +0000https://freshome.com/?p=274599Joanna Gaines just released her Easter collection for her Hearth & Hand With Magnolia collection at Target — and it’s perfect. The pieces have the modern farmhouse vibe with a little bit of Easter fun. And they’re affordable — what more can anyone ask for? “I love everything about this collection and truly believe it embodies […]

]]>Joanna Gaines just released her Easter collection for her Hearth & Hand With Magnolia collection at Target — and it’s perfect. The pieces have the modern farmhouse vibe with a little bit of Easter fun. And they’re affordable — what more can anyone ask for?

“I love everything about this collection and truly believe it embodies the spirit of Magnolia,” says Gaines. It wasn’t easy for her to narrow it down to just six favorites, but here they are:

Vintage Jadeite isn’t easy to find. And you’d pay a pretty penny for it in an antique store. Chip and Joanna love the collection, which includes dessert plates, a cupcake stand and salt and pepper shakers.

]]>https://freshome.com/joanna-gaines-target/feed/0https://freshome.com/joanna-gaines-target/Nervous About Buying Furniture Online? Follow These 4 Tips to Make a Better Purchasehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreshInspirationForYourHome/~3/1vh8xXN3LeE/https://freshome.com/buying-furniture-online/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 11:00:52 +0000https://freshome.com/?p=274547Online shopping is a great tool for furnishing a home. But a lot of us write off the idea of buying furniture online because it seems too risky. How can you tell if what you see is actually what you get? How do you know the piece will work in your home if you haven’t […]

Thinking about buying furniture online? Read our tips first to get the best results. Image: Blue Ocean Design

Online shopping is a great tool for furnishing a home. But a lot of us write off the idea of buying furniture online because it seems too risky. How can you tell if what you see is actually what you get? How do you know the piece will work in your home if you haven’t had a chance to see it first?

If you’ve ever asked yourself similar questions, this post is for you. In an effort to guide you through this process, we’ve taken the liberty of pulling together our four top tips for purchasing furniture online. Read them over carefully for the next time you’re ready to change up your interiors. With our help, we bet you’ll feel confident enough to add online stores to your repertoire.

Measure everything more than once

Measuring is the most important component of buying furniture, period. It’s even more crucial when buying online. Since you won’t be able to walk into a brick-and-mortar store and see with your own eyes how that piece will fit in your space, you’ll have to make sure your measuring skills are solid.

When you have an item you want to buy, read over the product listing to find the dimensions. (If you can’t find the dimensions, don’t buy that one.) Then, use measured-out painter’s tape or string to build a layout of how it will look in your home. If your furniture expands somehow — like a recliner or extendable dining table — make sure you account for the largest version. Then, double check your work.

Keep in mind this isn’t the only measurement you have to account for. If your furniture is coming to you already assembled, you need to measure any relevant doorways and stairways to make sure you can actually get it to where it’s supposed to go.

Read reviews from other buyers

Product listings are supposed to sound complimentary. That’s why it’s not uncommon for a piece of furniture to sound exactly like what you’ve been hoping for at first glance. Often, though, reviews tell a slightly different story. That’s where other customers often get real about their experience with the product.

When buying online, these reviews are key to your success. Focus your shopping on items that have lots of available reviews and read over them carefully. You’ll usually start to detect a theme about certain details mentioned by multiple customers. Weigh these comments in your decision, as they’re likely to be reflective of your experience.

Keep in mind that every product is bound to have a few bad reviews, especially if it has a high number of comments. A bad review doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy the product, but it should factor into your decision. Pay close attention to the percentage of bad reviews overall and how the complainants say the seller handled their issue. That said, if a review doesn’t sit right with you, it’s probably best to explore other products.

Try to find a customer photo of the item to see what it looks like in a natural setting. Image: Cottage Home Company

Try to view the real thing

Online product photos are hard to judge. Yes, that may technically be what the piece of furniture looks like, but it’s also being shown in the very best light and with the very best placement to encourage you to make a purchase. Often, once you get it home, certain details — especially color and texture — can be wildly different than in the photo.

That’s why we recommend viewing the real thing before buying, if at all possible. If taking a trip to a store to see it in person is doable, that’s your best bet. If not, try requesting a fabric swatch. Many companies will send one to you to ensure you’re happy with the way the fabric looks.

Lastly, if a swatch is not an option, you can always do an image search for consumer photos of the product. While some details will still be slightly altered by your computer screen, those will show you a different version of how the piece will look once you’ve furnished your home with it.

Check the return policy

No one wants to go into a purchase thinking they may end up sending it back. However, it’s often unavoidable with online purchases. Sometimes, even your best judgment is not enough and the furniture just won’t work in your home the way you thought it would. Checking the return policy ahead of time gives you the reassurance that you have a backup plan if things don’t go your way.

Here a few things to look out for:

Do they accept returns at all?

Is there a time limit to their return policy?

Do return items need to be in their original packaging?

Are there any fees for returning an item?

What’s the return process like? What will you need to do to return the item?

What is their turn-around time for a refund? When can you expect to get your money back?

Ultimately, whether or not a return policy is satisfactory to you is a personal decision. Only you can tell whether or not you’re willing to take the risk. However, since furniture tends to be a costly item, we recommend sticking to stores that allow returns so you can protect your investment.

Use these tips when buying furniture online to make your investment a success. Image: Amy Carman Design

Buying furniture online doesn’t have to feel like you’re taking a big gamble. You just have to be smart about your selection process. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our best advice for shopping online. Keep these tips in mind for the next time you’re ready to make a big purchase, and we’re sure you’ll feel much more secure about what you’re bringing home.

What do you think of buying furniture online? Do you have any tips to add? Tell us all about it in the comments.